The first Silver Panda coins—issued in 1983, 1984 and 1985—were proof
quality, with a precious metal content of 27 grams of 0.900 fine silver
and a diameter of 38.6 mm. Mintage's were only 10,000 for each year. No
Silver Pandas were issued in 1986. The 1987 Silver Panda coins were
minted in proof quality from 1 troy oz. of sterling (.925 fine) silver,
with a diameter of 40 mm. There are several mints that produced Silver Panda coins over the years, including: Shanghai Shenyang Shenzhen.
Unlike coins made by US mints that carry mint marks to distinguish their
origin, Chinese mints generally do not carry mint marks. In certain
years there are minor variations in the coin design—such as the size of
the date, and temple. That allow the originating mint to be determined.
An example is 1996 where different mints produced coins with minor
variations in the font size of the date on the obverse side of the
coins.

Obverse

Depiction of the Temple of Heaven
in the center with Chinese characters on top saying "中华人民共和国" meaning
the People's Republic of China and the bottom the year of issue. If the
issue is a commemorative issue, the theme will be marked here also.

Reverse

Features a scene of a mother panda holding her baby cub as they look at each other with a sweet embrace